Centripetal wand scanner

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides the advantage of allowing a user to actively participate in the creation of a sound and light show by utilizing a radial element placed around a central shaft, which defines the axis of rotation for said radial element, and having such radial element connected to light and sound systems. The present embodiment of the invention, which is a handheld spinning toy, relies on the user setting the toy in motion (e.g., rotating the handle in a circular fashion, which causes the radial element to spin around the central shaft) in order to activate the lighting and sound systems contained within the present invention.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application No. 61/899,246 filed on Nov. 3, 2013, which is incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of handheld spinning devices. More particularly, the present embodiments of the invention are related to handheld spinning toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various handheld spinning toys, including handheld spinning toys with lights, are disclosed in the prior art and/or are available in the marketplace. However, such handheld spinning toys rely on electronics and associated circuitry and power sources in order to spin said toy. Such reliance on electronics and associated components results in a user acting more as a viewer of the spinning toy rather than a participant in such toys' spinning action.

By utilizing a radial element placed around a central shaft, which defines the axis of rotation for said radial element, and having such radial element connected to light and sound systems, the present invention provides the advantage of allowing a user to actively participate in the creation of a sound and light show. As opposed to other handheld spinning toys, most of which rely on electronic devices to spin a toy, the present embodiment of the invention, which is a handheld spinning toy, relies on the user setting the toy in motion (e.g., rotating the handle in a circular fashion, which causes the radial element to spin around the central shaft) in order to activate the lighting and sound systems contained within the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a handheld spinning device may comprise of at least one of the following: a handle; a central shaft that defines an axis of rotation; a bushing; and/or a radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation comprising at least one of the following: at least one battery, at least one light, circuitry, and/or at least one means to switch power. Said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation can be made to rotate about said central shaft that defines an axis of rotation by applying motion to said handle while said handle is being held. Said at least one light can be at least one light-emitting diode(s) (LEDs) located along and/or within the length of said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation. Said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation can have an exterior that is in whole or in part at least one of the following: frosted, clear, colored, transparent, and/or translucent. Said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation can have at least one of a logo, design, and/or image located on and/or along its surface and/or printed on a film and/or paper located within and/or on the surface of said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation. An adhesive layer and/or attached layer can be externally applied to said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation. Said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation can have a light emitting element located at the most distant location from said central shaft that defines an axis of rotation. Said light emitting element can be illuminated by at least one light. Said light emitting element can have an exterior that is at least one of the following: frosted, clear, colored, transparent, and/or translucent. Said light emitting element can have at least one of a logo, design, and/or image located on and/or along its surface. A handheld spinning device may further comprise of at least one of the following: a rotation sensing switch and/or sensor; a means to mechanically make noise when said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation is spinning about said handle; radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and/or proximity sensing devices that will produce a proximity signal to indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location; an illuminated object which is at least one of, but not limited to, a logo, image, geometric shape, three-dimensional object; a speaker, piezo element and/or means to product sound electronically; foam and/or soft material; and/or at least one acoustic whistle on the end of and/or at one or more positions along said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation. Said rotation sensing switch and/or sensor can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of spinning said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation when said spinning relative to said handle. Said circuitry can produce at least one power pulse of varying time and/or intensity. Said at least one light can produce at least one pattern of lighting that is synchronized to rotation and/or rotation rate when spinning relative to said handle using said signal and circuitry. Said at least one light can produce a random and/or programmed pattern of lighting. Said at least one means to switch power can be disconnected after a period of time and/or after a period of time of inactivity. Custom lighting patterns and/or sound can indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location. Said at least one pattern of lighting can be at least one of letters, words, numbers, symbols, shapes, images, logos. Said sound and/or lighting patterns can change as a function of rotation rate.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a side view of a handle of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a side view of a radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a side view of a handle of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a central shaft 2 extends from a handle 1 and defines an axis of rotation for the radial element 3 to spin about. The radial element 3 has a light emitting member 4, which is located at the most distant location from the central shaft 2, and an LED 5 located along and/or within the length of the radial element 3.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a side view of a handle 1 of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a central shaft 2 extends from a handle 1 and defines an axis of rotation for the radial element 3 (now shown) to spin about.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a side view of a radial element 3 that is free to spin about the axis of rotation of one embodiment of the present invention. The radial element 3 has a light emitting member 4, which is located at the most distant location from the central shaft 2 (now shown), and an LED 5 located along and/or within the length of the radial element 3.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a side view of a handle 1 of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a battery compartment 6 and power button 7 are located on the handle 1.

COMPONENTS LIST FOR DRAWINGS

Number Description 1 Handle 2 Central Shaft 3 Radial Element 4 Light Emitting Element 5 LED 6 Battery Compartment 7 Power Button 

What is claimed:
 1. A handheld spinning device comprising of at least one of the following: a handle; a central shaft that defines an axis of rotation; a bushing; a radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation comprising at least one of the following: at least one battery; at least one light; circuitry; at least one means to switch power.
 2. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 wherein said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation is made to rotate about said central shaft that defines an axis of rotation by applying motion to said handle while said handle is being held.
 3. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 wherein said at least one light is at least one light-emitting diode(s) (LEDs) located along and/or within the length of said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation.
 4. The handheld spinning device of claim 3 wherein said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation has an exterior that is in whole or in part at least one of the following: frosted, clear, colored, transparent, and/or translucent.
 5. The handheld spinning device of claim 3 wherein said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation has at least one of a logo, design, and/or image located on and/or along its surface and/or printed on a film and/or paper located within and/or on the surface of said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation.
 6. The handheld spinning device of claim 3 wherein an adhesive layer and/or attached layer is externally applied to said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation.
 7. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 wherein said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation has a light emitting element located at the most distant location from said central shaft that defines an axis of rotation.
 8. The handheld spinning device of claim 7 wherein said light emitting element is illuminated by at least one light.
 9. The handheld spinning device of claim 7 wherein said light emitting element has an exterior that is at least one of the following: frosted, clear, colored, transparent, and/or translucent.
 10. The handheld spinning device of claim 7 wherein said light emitting element has at least one of a logo, design, and/or image located on and/or along its surface.
 11. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 further comprising of at least one of the following: a rotation sensing switch and/or sensor; a means to mechanically make noise when said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation is spinning about said handle; radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and/or proximity sensing devices that will produce a proximity signal to indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location; an illuminated object which is at least one of, but not limited to, a logo, image, geometric shape, three-dimensional object; a speaker, piezo element and/or means to product sound electronically; foam and/or soft material; and/or at least one acoustic whistle on the end of and/or at one or more positions along said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation.
 12. The handheld spinning device of claim 11 wherein said rotation sensing switch and/or sensor provides a signal with each rotation or part thereof of spinning said radial element that is free to spin about the axis of rotation when said spinning relative to said handle.
 13. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 wherein said circuitry produces at least one power pulse of varying time and/or intensity.
 14. The handheld spinning device of claim 12 wherein said at least one light produces at least one pattern of lighting that is synchronized to rotation and/or rotation rate when spinning relative to said handle using said signal and circuitry.
 15. The handheld spinning device of claim 13 wherein said at least one light produces a random and/or programmed pattern of lighting.
 16. The handheld spinning device of claim 1 wherein said at least one means to switch power is disconnected after a period of time and/or after a period of time of inactivity.
 17. The handheld spinning device of claim 11 wherein custom lighting patterns and/or sound indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location.
 18. The handheld spinning device of claim 14 wherein said at least one pattern of lighting is at least one of letters, words, numbers, symbols, shapes, images, logos.
 19. The handheld spinning device of claim 11 wherein said sound and/or lighting patterns change as a function of rotation rate. 